SPURS GAME DAY! PRE-SEASON GAME 5: SPURS AT WARRIORS, 20-10-2023, 9PM (CT)

Post #41 » by **G R E Y** » Sat Oct 21, 2023 4:14 am

Finally some defensive intensity for a steal. Timely. Twice.

Post #42 » by **G R E Y** » Sat Oct 21, 2023 4:17 am

We have Rice, Sidy, Julian, Mamu, Bediako in now in the last 3+ minutes or so.

Post #43 » by **G R E Y** » Sat Oct 21, 2023 4:23 am

Bediako watches for setting the screen then pivots and steps down to take the inbounds pass. Small things but fundamentally sound.

Post #44 » by **G R E Y** » Sat Oct 21, 2023 4:26 am

Blake bailed out there.

We TO it with a bad long pass then he gets doubled and gives up the ball then we have no one on an open 3 attempt that luckily misses.

He does not look like things are getting put together for him as a PG who hustles and makes smart reads and plays.

Post #45 » by **G R E Y** » Sat Oct 21, 2023 4:29 am

Then Blake whiffs two FTs that could have sealed the game.

Don't like his body language either.

Don't want to make him a punching bag of criticism but we frankly need to see more from him beyond great speed and quickness.

Post #46 » by **G R E Y** » Sat Oct 21, 2023 4:31 am

Sidy end of game steal and dribbles out the clock. That's how it's done.

Post #47 » by **G R E Y** » Sat Oct 21, 2023 6:20 am

4TH Q: SPURS 122 WARRIORS 117

Phew! We got through the pre-season, finished 3-2, which itself is not the point but how we played.

To that end, the starting five is a work in progress with point-Sochan. Pop switched to Tre at point and Sochan at 3 which itself will have stronger and weaker points. But Tre being more experienced and Sochan being off ball more to roam and help both put them at more natural, experienced positions.

But even with Sochan's WIP point work, it's a strong, big, mobile starting group whose O cohesion work is also buoyed by defensive menace.

Both Sochan and Tre can be focused on by opposing O at the perimeter for different reasons, but we'll make it work with reps.

gump's right about Keldon's fit with Devin. They didn't have a lot of reps together as starters last season and now with Devin's role bigger and Keldon with the bigger adjustment there are going to be some adjustments. We'll have to see how they play out. The five did put up great numbers versus a much more experienced opponent, so there's positives from even a short time together.

We still need to work on boxing out and giving up points off O boards against. We still need to work on FT efficiency. We still need to work on consistent hustle and effort, but when each of these waned at times, we bounced back well and stayed ahead.

Malaki is a bucket to a fault in terms of team play. Has to get better at time and place management. Three assists given his myopic play is actually pretty good. Just shows how much better his overall game can be.

Blake. Needs a lot of work in not a lot of time to show improvement. Speed is there, but running a team, getting caught in traps, giving up the ball, bad looks to team mates. Floor generalship just has to be better. Game high 4 TOs.

Tre led us with 8 assists; Sochan led the starters with 6 assists and 11 rebounds, efforts which helped offset an inefficient shooting night; Zach led us with +18 with efficient scoring and strong all around contribution on boards, passing, and 2 steals.

Keldon shot it well (50%), grabbed 7 boards, had 2 assists. True to his pattern, he shot either from the arc or in the paint.

Devin had one attempt in the paint which he made. He was 1-5 from that right arc pet spot and 1-4 in non-3s. Hopefully we can get him to work inside more. He's gotten stronger and worked on his handles for it; let's get it going.

Wemby. What an absolute out of the stratosphere talent. So smart and impactful on both ends. Opponents will try to be super physical with him like some did tonight. We just have to make sure we've got his back for some FAFO.

19 points, 4 boards, 1 assist, 1 steal, FIVE blocks in 21 minutes (through three quarters).

We also have to just alley oop HIGHER for goodness sake. He's so quick in getting to his spot and giving a hand target that we have to get used to responding sooner. Looking at his shot chart, he takes it from wherever he damn well wants. Lots of good chances in the paint, non-paint 2s, and 3s. The ground he covers on D is unlike anything we've seen before. I'm so happy lol

Sidy with a steal and a length of court dribble and basket was good to see. Good passer, though he did pick up his dribble early. His size and strength helped keep the ball. He was patient with it before passing out of trouble. The end of game steal and dribbling out of the clock were solid, too. Smart.

Cedi is clicking well. Great off ball movement, plays physical, nice kick outs to and synergy with Doug.

Bassey with 100% efficiency, tied with Malaki for bench scoring (11) looking more comfortable every game and now taking a 3 (even though he missed it) secures his spot as back up big. Mamu had a nice inside-out game as well. Dependable and versatile, both.

Dom looked more assertive in limited minutes. It's what we want of him.

Thirty-six assists; 12 steals; 6 blocks; 11 TOs which cost us 11 points (earned 20 on opponent TOs). We took eight more FGAs and of those, eight fewer 3s. Better balance in scoring. More variety. More interesting game. The floor and ceiling are higher than we knew is the general conclusion of pre-season. Feels great.